I gambled on the foot leather for this pair of boots. I had a beautiful alligator in a color I wasn’t sure I could get again. The customer saw it and chose it for their boots, but I knew the piece was a little small. However, I also knew that the size would only cost me one corner. It was a corner I needed to pull on while lasting the boots, but which would then be pulled completely under and/or trimmed away. I carefully measured to make sure I was correct, then sewed a patch in place so I’d have something to grab while lasting. Sure enough, I definitely needed that patch while I was lasting, but it’s now pulled completely under and will never be seen again.